1
|
Torres X, Bennasar M, Bautista-Rodríguez C, Martínez-Portilla RJ, Gómez O, Micheletti T, Eixarch E, Crispi F, Gratacós E, Martínez JM. The heart after surviving twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 227:502.e1-502.e25. [PMID: 35351412 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The persistent changes in cardiac structure and function in children who survived twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome remain a matter of concern and controversy. Current fetal echocardiographic parameters and their postnatal evolution can help improve our understanding of the subject. OBJECTIVE To describe the echocardiographic changes of monochorionic fetuses affected by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, the recipient and the donor, before and after laser photocoagulation and to determine their evolution in the third trimester and during their first year of life. STUDY DESIGN An observational study was conducted including 55 uncomplicated monochorionic diamniotic twins and 78 pairs with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, 44 stage I-II and 34 stage III-IV, prospectively enrolled from 2015 until 2018. Comprehensive echocardiography was performed at 4 time periods: before laser photocoagulation, at 24 to 72 hours after surgery, at 28 to 30 weeks of gestation, and at 6 to 12 months after birth. Echocardiographic parameters were transformed to z-scores or indexed for heart area, estimated fetal weight, or body mass surface. RESULTS At diagnosis, recipients in all stages presented larger hearts (cardiothoracic ratio z-score: 2.77 [0.8] vs controls: -0.03 [0.5]; P<.001) and signs of ventricular hypertrophy (left end-diastolic ventricle wall thickness: 2.68 [0.7] vs controls -0.03 [0.7]; P<.001), along with systolic (cardiac index recipients: 317 [114] mL/min/kg vs controls: 400 [120] mL/min/kg, P<.001) and diastolic impairment (isovolumetric relaxation time z-score: 2.76 [0.6] vs controls: 0.05 [0.6]; P<.001). Donors presented smaller ventricular areas and diameters when compared with controls (left end-diastolic ventricle area z-score: -1.48 [1] vs 0.03 [0.9]; P<.001), along with decreased longitudinal motion (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion z-score: -0.9 [1] vs controls -0.04 [1]; P<.001) and shorter ejection time z-score (-1.5 [0.7] vs controls: 0.0 [0.7]; P<.001). After surgery, an improvement in functional parameters was observed in both fetuses, whereas most morphometric changes prevailed in donors and recipients in the prenatal period. Postnatally, cardiac remodeling persisted in recipients (left relative wall thickness: 0.34 [0.02] vs controls: 0.30 [0.02]; P<.001), whereas donors mainly presented a decreased longitudinal motion in infancy (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion z-score: -0.72 [0.7] vs controls: 0.23 [0.9]; P<.05). CONCLUSION Cardiac remodeling is present in both fetuses at the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome diagnosis, whereas diastolic dysfunction is only significant in the recipient. Fetal therapy improves most echocardiographic parameters, although postnatally, the echocardiographic changes persist in both fetuses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Torres
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Bennasar
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carles Bautista-Rodríguez
- Paediatric Cardiology Services, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Raigam J Martínez-Portilla
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Gómez
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Talita Micheletti
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisenda Eixarch
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fátima Crispi
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Gratacós
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Martínez
- Fetal Medicine Research Center, BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases (CIBER-ER), Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Early postnatal cardiac follow-up of survivors of twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated with fetoscopic laser coagulation. J Perinatol 2020; 40:1375-1382. [PMID: 32152494 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-020-0645-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the cardiac function and prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHD) in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) survivors. STUDY DESIGN Prospective follow-up of TTTS pregnancies treated with laser surgery (2015-2018). Echocardiography was performed 1 day and 1 month after birth (corrected for prematurity). Results were compared with a control group of age-matched uncomplicated monochorionic twin-pairs at 1 month. RESULT Eighty-nine TTTS (168 neonates) and nine control pregnancies (18 neonates) were enrolled. CHD birth prevalence was 9.2% (8/87) in recipients and 13.6% (11/81) in donors (p = 0.37). Four of 19 (21%) were detected prenatally, all pulmonary stenosis. Donors had lower aortic peak velocities compared with recipients at day 1 (0.66 ± 0.15 m/s vs 0.71 ± 0.19 m/s, p = 0.04) and 1 month (1.04 ± 0.21 m/s vs 1.11 ± 0.18 m/s, p = 0.02), but not compared with controls. CONCLUSION CHD prevalence in TTTS survivors is high, with a low prenatal detection of minor abnormalities. Follow-up fetal echocardiograms and a postnatal echocardiogram should be offered.
Collapse
|
3
|
Breatnach CR, Bussmann N, Levy PT, Vincent DF, Malone FD, McCallion N, Franklin O, El-Khuffash A. Postnatal Myocardial Function in Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome following Selective Laser Photocoagulation of the Communicating Placental Vessels. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2019; 32:774-784.e1. [PMID: 30910308 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twins are at risk for developing twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) throughout pregnancy. This may lead to myocardial dysfunction in the recipient and/or donor twin that persists beyond delivery. Selective laser photocoagulation of the communicating placental vessels (SLPCV) attempts to mitigate the cardiovascular outcomes. The objective of this study was to characterize early postnatal myocardial performance in MCDA twins with TTTS with and without SLPCV. METHODS A prospective study was performed of four MCDA twin groups: (1) uncomplicated MCDA twins, (2) MCDA twins with selective fetal growth restriction, (3) MCDA twins with TTTS following SLPCV (TTTS with SLPCV), and (4) MCDA twins with TTTS who did not undergo SLPCV (TTTS without SLPCV). Fifty-four twin pairs were enrolled: 23 uncomplicated MCDA twin pairs, 15 pairs with selective fetal growth restriction, seven TTTS pairs with SLPCV, and seven TTTS pairs without SLPCV. In each group, twin pairs were divided by birth weight into donor (smaller) and recipient (larger) and compared. Echocardiography was performed on day 1, day 2, and between days 5 and 7 of age, and myocardial performance was characterized by speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived left ventricular and right ventricular longitudinal strain (LS) and systolic strain rate (LSR). Longitudinal strain and longitudinal systolic strain rate are expressed as absolute values. RESULTS Compared with all recipient groups, recipient TTTS without SLPCV infants had lower left ventricular LS (16 ± 3% vs 22%-24%, P < .01) and right ventricular LS (15 ± 5% vs 21%-24%, P < .01) on day 1 that persisted throughout the first week of age. Left ventricular LSR (1.7 ± 0.3 vs 2.3 ± 0.3 sec-1, P < .05) and right ventricular LSR (1.5 ± 0.4 vs 1.7 ± 0.5 sec-1, P < .05) were both lower in the recipient compared with the donor twin in the TTTS without SLPCV group. LS and LSR measurements were similar among all four donor twin groups. CONCLUSIONS Biventricular performance is diminished in recipient MCDA twins with TTTS who are not treated with SLPCV, highlighting the need for close monitoring of their hemodynamic status during the early neonatal period.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colm R Breatnach
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Neidin Bussmann
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Phillip T Levy
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Fergal D Malone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi McCallion
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Franklin
- Department of Cardiology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Afif El-Khuffash
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hecher K, Gardiner HM, Diemert A, Bartmann P. Long-term outcomes for monochorionic twins after laser therapy in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. THE LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2018; 2:525-535. [PMID: 30169324 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(18)30127-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome typically occurs in the second trimester in 10-15% of monochorionic twin pregnancies. Vascular anastomoses of monochorionic placentae are the underlying cause of the development of the syndrome. If a blood flow imbalance occurs, one fetus becomes the so-called donor twin and the other the recipient. If untreated, perinatal mortality is 80-90%. Fetoscopic laser coagulation of the vascular anastomoses destroys the cause of the syndrome and leads to dual twin survival rates of around 70% and more than 90% of pregnancies with at least one survivor. However, unequal placental sharing, intrauterine death, and severe prematurity are still limiting factors for further improvement of survival rates and decreases in long-term morbidity. Prematurity and neurodevelopmental impairment affect the donor and recipient twins, whereas cardiovascular failure and obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract are typical complications of recipients, which can lead to long-term morbidity. In this Review, we summarise the literature on follow-up data for survivors of twin-to-twin-transfusion syndrome after laser therapy, including neurodevelopmental outcomes, cardiovascular outcomes, growth, renal function, and ischaemic events, as well as the potential effects of intrauterine programming on later life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Helena M Gardiner
- Fetal Center at Children's Memorial Herman Hospital, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anke Diemert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Children's Hospital, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wohlmuth C, Gardiner HM, Diehl W, Hecher K. Fetal cardiovascular hemodynamics in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2016; 95:664-71. [PMID: 26872246 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.12871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) complicates 10-15% of monochorionic-diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies. It originates from unbalanced transfer of fluid and vasoactive mediators from one twin to its co-twin via placental anastomoses. This results in hypovolemia in the donor and hypervolemia and vasoconstriction in the recipient twin. Consequently, the recipient demonstrates cardiovascular alterations including atrioventricular valve regurgitation, diastolic dysfunction, and pulmonary stenosis/atresia that do not necessarily correlate with Quintero-stages. Selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of placental vascular anastomoses disrupts the underlying pathophysiology and usually improves cardiovascular function in the recipient with normalization of systolic and diastolic function within weeks after treatment. Postnatal studies have demonstrated early decreased arterial distensibility in ex-donor twins, but 10-year follow up is encouraging with survivors showing normal cardiovascular function after TTTS. However, prediction and appropriate early management of TTTS remain poor. Assessment of the cardiovascular system provides additional insight into the pathophysiology and severity of TTTS and may permit more targeted early surveillance of MCDA pregnancies in future. It should form an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Wohlmuth
- The Fetal Center, UT Health School of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Werner Diehl
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kurt Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|